Solar Panel Installation Accesories (ABS+PC)? 2

[Jon2011]

Hello,

I'm working on a project that requires plastic nuts made from plastic material which can withstand UV exposure, temperature fluctuation, and mild impact for 20 years and above. The nuts will be inserted to upper and bottom zinc plate to hold them in place for solar panel installation. I was planning to use ABS+PC, but after refering to many previous posts regarding the low UV resistance strength of ABS+PC , I am now looking for a new cost-effective material. Styrosun (NovaChem) and Rynite (Dupont) are too expensive for my application. Any suggestion? Thank you.

 

[Demon3]

PVC. Cheap, great UV stability (used for siding) and inherently flame retardant.

All the best,

Chris

Chris DeArmitt PhD FRSC CChem

 

[patprimmer]

No argument with PVC if it has the temperature and mechanical properties required.

I still like GF PET. If Rynite is to expensive there are other sources. Some based on reclaimed bottles. PET is VERY good to UV, can be further improved with UV stabilisers and certain UV opaque pigments like carbon black or TiO2. Glass fibre greatly increases physical properties like creep, tensile, shear and heat deflection as well as stopping cracks from propagating from micro cracks on the surface from UV damage.

ASA also overcomes the problems of UV resistance inherent in ABS but is somewhat more expensive, but PC/ABS or PC/ASA is normally mostly PC anyway and I would have thought it was at least as expensive as PET.

Nylons if no water present. Zinc chloride from zinc and salt or chlorinated water can sometimes attack nylons so the presence of zinc and water is a risk. Once again, glass fibre helps .

PMMA or acrylic? Perfect to UV and good mechanicals except for VERY low elongation at break which is seen as poor impact. Probably pretty risky.

Mineral filled PP with a thin acrylic snap fit cover to protect from UV. Are two cheap parts more expensive than one expensive one? Would a fragile cover stay in place?





Regards
Pat
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